Food Security Among Rural Appalachian Families with School-Aged Children:: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Urban areas are often cited as having increased levels of food insecurity; however, poor rural areas may also be prone. The purposes of this pilot study approved by the Institutional Review Board were to assess: 1) the degree of food security during the academic year among rural Appalachian families with school-aged children; 2) if food assistance program participation influenced food security; and 3) if game intake influenced food security. Families intending to participate in a summer educational enrichment/food service program were chosen as subjects. A 32-item survey (6th grade reading level, SMOG readability formula) was developed using the USDA Food Security Core Module (CM). Of the 350 surveys administered to parents/caregivers, 252 (72% response rate) were returned and analyzed (SPSS 8.0, Chicago, EL, 1998). Food insecurity was experienced by 80 families (32%), with 46 (18%), 18 (7%), and 16 (6%) being food insecure without hunger, with moderate hunger, and with severe hunger, respectively. Families participated in WIC (n=47, 19%), food stamps (n-58,23%), food banks (n=l 1,4%), school lunch program (n=122, 48%), school breakfast program (n=84, 33%), and other programs (n=2, 1%). Food security increased as participation in the number of food assistance programs increased (r=0.33, p<0.001). Linear regression showed that participation in the school breakfast program, food banks, and other programs were variables predictive of food security (R2=0.44, p<0.05). Venison (r=0.19, p<0.05) and squirrel (r=0.17, p<0.05) consumption were also correlated with food security. Professionals should be aware that rural populations may be prone to experiencing food insecurity and that food assistance programs may stave off this problem.